Legal Insights
Plain-language guides and case briefs on Philippine law — researched from the firm's law library of 184,000+ statutes, Supreme Court decisions, and agency issuances, and written so non-lawyers can understand and act on them.
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Fraudulent Promises Establishing Liability for Illegal Recruitment and Estafa
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on when false promises of overseas employment constitute both illegal recruitment and estafa.
Certiorari Under the New SEC Rules: Challenging Interlocutory Orders
The Supreme Court clarifies that certiorari, not appeal, is the proper remedy for interlocutory orders under the New SEC Rules of Procedure.
Reasonable Doubt and Malversation: Rebutting the Presumption of Guilt
How a disbursing officer's stroke rebutted the presumption of malversation, showing proof beyond reasonable doubt still matters.
Reasonable Doubt Prevails Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases
Why the Supreme Court acquitted an accused in a marijuana possession case due to prosecution's failure to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Enforcement of Foreign Judgments: Comity, Jurisdiction, and Burden of Proof
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies rules on enforcing foreign judgments, comity, and burden of proof in Asiavest v. PNCC.
Protecting the Vulnerable: Rape Conviction Upheld for Child Victim
Supreme Court affirms death penalty for rape of a five-year-old, ruling the child's testimony and medical evidence proved consummated rape.
Separation of Powers: Supreme Court's Exclusive Authority Over Judicial Misconduct
The Supreme Court asserts exclusive administrative supervision over judges, directing the Ombudsman to defer and refer cases involving judicial misconduct.
Finality Prevails: Reopening a BP 22 Case After Judgment
A Supreme Court ruling explains why a final BP 22 conviction cannot be reopened through a belated new trial motion or petition for relief.
Agrarian Reform Inheritance and Land Coverage Under PD 27 and RA 6657
Supreme Court ruling on whether inherited farmland retains coverage under Operation Land Transfer under PD 27 and RA 6657.
Mental Capacity and Criminal Liability: Understanding the Estrada Insanity Test
The Supreme Court explains when insanity exempts from criminal liability and clarifies the Estrada test for mental competency.
Habeas Corpus and Marital Consortium: When Courts Cannot Compel a Spouse to Live Together
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that habeas corpus cannot compel a spouse to live together, and that consortium is enforced by mutual affection, not court orders.
Robbery With Homicide Conviction Upheld: Positive Identification Beats Alibi
Supreme Court affirms robbery with homicide conviction, ruling positive eyewitness identification prevails over alibi and denial defenses.
Bank Negligence and Damages: When a Dishonored Check Does Not Mean Compensation
The Supreme Court ruled that a bank's error in assigning a wrong account number caused a check dishonor, yet the depositor still recovered nothing. Here is why.
Buy-Bust Operations and Evidence Admissibility: Safeguarding Rights in Drug Cases
Learn how Philippine courts treat buy-bust operations, evidence admissibility, and constitutional rights in drug cases, explained through a landmark Supreme Court ruling.
Incestuous Rape: Upholding the Sanctity of Filial Trust and the Severity of Betrayal
The Supreme Court affirms the conviction of a father for four counts of rape against his daughter, underscoring the gravity of incestuous abuse.
Compromise Agreements Enforceability and Third Party Rights in Philippine Law
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on spousal consortium, habeas corpus, and the limits of court-ordered cohabitation under the Family Code.
Treachery and Conspiracy in Group Violence: Robbery With Homicide Liability
How Philippine courts establish liability for robbery with homicide in group attacks, explained through a landmark Supreme Court case.
Rape Conviction Upheld Despite Delayed Reporting and Absence of Semen
Supreme Court affirms rape conviction of father despite delayed reporting and no semen found, explaining why these do not weaken a credible victim's testimony.
Reasonable Doubt and Conspiracy in Robbery With Homicide: People v. Maxion
When does presence at a crime scene imply conspiracy? The Supreme Court clarifies the rules on identification, alibi, and damages in robbery with homicide.
Clerks of Court Scope of Notarial Powers and Limits on Authority
Philippine Supreme Court clarifies that clerks of court may notarize only documents related to official duties, not private matters.
Liability in Highway Robbery: Conspiracy and Identifying Perpetrators
Philippine Supreme Court ruling on conspiracy in highway robbery, eyewitness identification, and liability of accused under PD 532.
Bouncing Checks and Broken Promises: Understanding Novation and Criminal Liability in the Philippines
The Supreme Court clarifies when issuing bouncing checks constitutes estafa despite existing contracts and business history between parties.
Final Judgments Win: SC Nullifies Lifted Contempt Order in DBP Replevin Case
SC rules a final contempt judgment cannot be lifted by a trial court, reaffirming the immutability of judgments doctrine.
Parental Incest Establishing Minority of the Victim Beyond Reasonable Doubt in Rape Cases
How Philippine courts prove a rape victim's minority for the death penalty, using parental incest as the key example.